A love story that lasts… Since 2006, Claude Lelouch has shared the life of the novelist and screenwriter Valérie Perrin. In love, the couple said 'yes' on Saturday June 17, 2023, surrounded by many stars who have played in the director's films. Although they have only been married for a short time, their story began a long time ago almost by chance.
Monday November 11, 2024, in the columns of Le Parisien, Claude Lelouch remembered: “Our story began in Deauville, in September 2006, on the occasion of the inauguration of Place Claude-Lelouch. A journalist, friend of Valérie, slipped a letter into my pocket”. The one who was not yet a novelist had written “an open letter to the cinema of Claude“whom she particularly admired.
Valérie Perrin: “At that time, we were not into seduction”
Moved, the director remembered that this letter had satisfied his ego. “Above all, I was impressed by the pen and the talent. I said to myself: 'There is someone who saw in my films what I thought only one had seen'. I absolutely wanted to meet this woman and work with her.”he confided before specifying that he had then retrieved Valérie Perrin's phone number.
Finally, it was three months later that they saw each other in front of Deauville station. “It was surreal. We went to the Manor, Claude's house, and we talked for hours about lots of things. I was just happy and moved, because it looked like his films. At that moment, we were not in seduction.
Thirty years apart is a lot: I was 39, Claude 69. We saw each other again eight days later in Paris and we had an incredible evening there. Afterwards, everything happened very quickly. We were so good together, there was no time to lose!”she confided.
Claude Lelouch: “Our love story was built on admiration”
In love, the famous director added: “We wanted to talk about everything, it was wonderful. Our love story was built on admiration. Besides, in love, there is the love of bodies, which lasts a short time, but what is important is admiration”. Valérie Perrin also took advantage of this interview to ensure that she had been “welcomed with open arms” by the family of Claude Lelouch.
Tuesday January 18, 2022, it was in the program En aparté that the filmmaker praised his now wife. “It's the first time I've lived with someone who has colossal talent. All the women I met had talent, were wonderful actresses, but she is in the essential. She is in the essential because it talks about the little things in life (…) As we get closer to the finish line, we need the essentials and it is in the essential. This is what she gave me today and I thank her.”he assured.
